LePage addresses domestic violence in weekly address

AUGUSTA — The killing of Kasandra Perkins by pro football player Jovan Belcher is prompting Maine Gov. Paul LePage to speak out against domestic violence in his weekly radio address.

Belcher, a former University of Maine player who went on to the Kansas City Chiefs, shot Perkins multiple times before killing himself Dec. 1. Before Thanksgiving in Alton, Maine, another domestic violence tragedy occurred when 39-year-old Danielle Reed was killed in an apparent murder suicide.

LePage said each year between 50 and 60 percent of homicides in Maine are domestic-violence related. He encourages family members to discuss domestic violence.

In the Democratic response, Rep. Mark Dion of Portland did not address the Belcher case, but addressed energy costs. Dion said the cost of heating homes and businesses must be addressed, and energy efficiency programs are one solution.

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